Dec. 8, 2005

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Fans of the Missouri gymnastics team will get their first look at the 2006 squad on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the annual Black and Gold Meet at 7:00 p.m. in the Hearnes Center. The No. 16 ranked Tigers will be divided into two teams, Black and Gold, with each team performing five routines on each event. Admission to the meet is free.

Competing for the Black team are seniors Lauren Schwartzman and Sarah Zigler, junior Whitney Crater, sophomores Katie Kluga and Lisa Puccio and freshmen Alicia Hatcher and Adrianne Perry. Gold team members are senior Jodie Heinicka, juniors Alicia Gilmore and Amanda Pezzullo and sophomores Julie Abaray and Ashley Khederian.

Missouri looks to improve upon last season's final ranking of 14 and its third place finish at the NCAA South Central Regional and will face seven squads ranked in the top 25 in the preseason rankings.

The Tigers officially open the 2006 season at the Super Six Challenge on Jan. 6 at 7:00 p.m. CT in Baton Rouge, La. Missouri will face off against No. 4 Alabama, host and No. 7 LSU, No. 8 Nebraska, No. 11 Oklahoma and No. 15 Auburn in the meet, which will be aired on tape delay on ESPN2 on Jan. 15 at 1:30 p.m. CT.